SHEFFIELD, AL (WAFF) -
A shooting range in the Shoals is under fire.
Community members have filed a noise complaint against the Sheffield Club. The future of the range now lies in the hands of the city council.
Members of the shooting range said the North Alabama Shooting Association (N.A.S.A.) has been around for 33 years, and up until now, they've never had any problems in the community.
"Their justification is sound, noise complaint," said president of N.A.S.A., Dwight Pilkilton.
Pilkilton said there have never been any complaints against the range since it was established in 1979.
"We have very strict guidelines. The range is closely regulated as to what type of guns can be fired and times they can be shot," he said.
Not only does the club follow strict policies enforced by its 400 members. Pilkilton says they also provide a service to the community.
"We provide a training facility for the city police department. We staff it, we keep it up, we cut the grass, we maintain it at no expense to them," he said.
The range is not limited to Sheffield Police, but officers in departments across the Shoals and western parts of the valley also make use of the property.
"We are the only range that is accessible except for a couple of ranges, one near Mississippi," said Pilkilton.
"It's clean all the time. I don't have to work too hard, and it's reasonable at $50 a year," said member, Gerald Switzer.
He has been a member there for the last five years.
Like others, he's worried about its future.
"I would be upset," said Switzer. "I really enjoy it here. They keep the range clean. The safety is great."
In the meantime, members are hopeful an agreement can be reached soon with city council members.
The city council is expected to make a decision at Monday night's meeting.
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